Donald Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on China after Beijing responded to his so-called “Liberation Day” duties with retaliatory measures of its own.
On April 2, the President announced sweeping tariffs totaling 54 percent on Chinese goods—factoring in existing duties—as part of a declaration he dubbed a turning point for the U.S. economy. Trump proclaimed the day as “the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed, and the day we began to ‘Make America Wealthy Again.’”
Unsurprisingly, the move drew strong reactions from impacted nations. China quickly hit back, announcing it would implement a 34 percent tariff on U.S. goods starting April 10.
In addition to the tariffs, China has suspended imports of sorghum, poultry, and bonemeal from certain American suppliers. It has also initiated legal action, arguing that the U.S. tariffs violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
Trump announced his initial tariffs on April 2 (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Trump wasn’t impressed with the country’s response, claiming in a post on Truth Social China had ‘played it wrong’.
“THEY PANICKED – THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!,” he wrote after the country’s initial announcement.
Now, Trump has taken to Truth Social again to warn China of what will happen if it doesn’t walk back its tariffs.
In his post, the POTUS wrote: “Yesterday, China issued Retaliatory Tariffs of 34%, on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation, despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs, above and beyond their already existing long term Tariff abuse of our Nation, will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs, over and above those initially set.”
Officials in China warned ‘threats’ are not the way to deal with the country (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Trump continued: “Therefore, if China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!
“Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump’s latest post comes after China’s foreign affairs spokesman Lin Jian condemned the US for its tariffs, accusing the country of ‘economic bullying’.
Speaking to reporters, he said: “Putting the US first over international rules is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying.”
Lin also warned the country that China would not react well to ‘threats’ – likely of the type Trump has just issued.
He said: “Pressure and threats are not the way to deal with China. China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
